squat woes

[Stacey Greenway]

Just what I've been trying, Garrett; meanwhile, the only squat that I'm really pushing to the limit and adding weight to every time that I do it is the front squat.

Meanwhile, here's the vid of my "good" high-bar squat for comparison, now on Youtube instead:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j9QImtybY8

Kevin, I usually try like hell to squeeze my glutes. Also, I don't normally just focus on pressing through the heel, but rather the heel and midfoot/ball of foot too.

Comparison of the two high-bar vids shows a marked difference in form, don't you think?

Thanks, guys.

[Dave Van Skike]

Stacey, how narrow/wide is your stance? there's not a huge difference to my eye, but you do have the look of someone fighting their way around longish femurs.

maybe shop around with a wider/toed out stance?

[Stacey Greenway]

Point taken, Dave. My stance is right at to maybe just a little outside shoulder width, toes turned out to about thirty degrees. But it stands to reason that, having had to adopt a sumo stance on my deadlift in order to achieve anything approaching a tolerable back angle, that some adjustments might also have to be made to my squat stance as well.

[Aimee Anaya Everett]

The reason you are shooting your hips up is because your quads are not strong enough to support the load and open the knee at that angle (as a result of low-bar back squatting), so you have to refer to your posterior chain strength in order to stand up with heavy loads.

[Aaron Gainer]

Your form looks fine on high bar. I would use that in place of the low bar. Then again, I like a more upright stance anyway for squatting!!!!

[Dave Van Skike]

Originally Posted by Aimee Anaya

The reason you are shooting your hips up is because your quads are not strong enough to support the load and open the knee at that angle (as a result of low-bar back squatting), so you have to refer to your posterior chain strength in order to stand up with heavy loads.

Is this a fair analysis? Her quads are at a disadvantage to be sure but it's not likley a muscualr weakness, her legs are just hella long.

Stacey, I bet you'll always have that (modest IMO) sticking point. You can mitigate it by widening stance, abandoning high bar or just do what you're doing, and really emphasize the front squat.

Better yet. Realize where your levers, put down those bumpers and come to the dark side.

[Chris H Laing]

Originally Posted by Aimee Anaya

The reason you are shooting your hips up is because your quads are not strong enough to support the load and open the knee at that angle (as a result of low-bar back squatting), so you have to refer to your posterior chain strength in order to stand up with heavy loads.

This is what happened to me due to the low bar back squat as well. I am now working front squats in instead of back squats to try and strengthen up my anterior chain. I also find that increasing hamstring flexibility helps.

[Brian Lawyer]

Originally Posted by Aimee Anaya

The reason you are shooting your hips up is because your quads are not strong enough to support the load and open the knee at that angle (as a result of low-bar back squatting), so you have to refer to your posterior chain strength in order to stand up with heavy loads.

Aimee is gracing us with her hot sports opinions on low bar back squats. Awesome! I'm just kidding.

For real, the more I learn about squatting, I am finding the LBBS are not as functional as some would think. I don't think it is Rippatoes fault. He originally wrote the book for getting skinny high school kids and other begginers to pack on some strength. I had read somewhere that the SS LBBS is basically a modified "Good Morning" lift. I find that to be somewhat true.

I have also read that Rip himself admits his LBBS does nothing for standing up out of the "hole" in Olympic lifting, something that requires quadriceps. I believe Rip was noting that the transfer of LBBS strength to Olympic lifting is that it primarily benefits the first pull.

[Dave Van Skike]

My BS meter is ticking....

This thread is about to descend into debate about function, the nature of elephants and perceived by the blind and the possible number of angels on the head of a pin.

DVS exit stage right....


Stacey. You've done some nice squatting anyhow you do it and continued good luck.

[Kevin Perry]

uh oh, here we go girls and boys lets keep this back on topic and not descend into the depths of LBBS vs. HBBS....